We’re still nearly nine months away from Auburn’s 2019 football season opener against Oregon in Arlington, Texas, but it’s a fair question to ask who will be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in that game.

So who will it be? Here are six candidates (three of which are not currently on the team):

Bo Nix — The 4-star recruit from Pinson Valley High School (who is playing for the 6A state championship on Friday) and the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix plans to enroll in January, which will give him a jump on learning the offense. We’ve seen plenty of true freshmen earn starting jobs in the SEC recently, so I wouldn’t bet against Nix.

Malik Willis — The most experienced of the returning players, Willis has gotten into 11 games the last two seasons as a situational quarterback. He’s attempted just 13 career passes (completing 10) for 64 yards and one touchdown, but has the mobility and athleticism prized at the position in Gus Malzahn’s system. He’s not necessarily an exciting option, but he might be a safe one.

Cord Sandberg — Sandberg is very much an enigma after spending five years away from the game while playing minor-league baseball. The 6-foot-3 left-hander is 23 years old, but will be a redshirt freshman next year after appearing in just one game this season (he ran three times and passed once against Alabama State). It’s difficult to envision Sandberg winning the job, but he’s definitely got the athletic ability.

Joey Gatewood — Gatewood was a Top 50 national recruit last year who drew unfair comparisons to Cam Newton due to his size (6-foot-5, 237 pounds), and then failed to impress in the Tigers’ spring game. It’s way too early to write him off given that he’s never even appeared in a regular-season game, but when he gets his shot at Auburn, it probably won’t be in 2019.

Jalen Hurts — This is where we get into highly speculative territory, but it seems like Hurts would be a perfect fit for the Gus Malzahn system. He’s improved dramatically as a passer this year, and we all know how he can run. Hurts’ folk hero status at Alabama after his SEC championship game performance makes his transferring to an in-state rival seem less likely now than it might have two weeks ago, however. And if he does choose to transfer, Hurts might do as Bryant did and seek a more stable situation.

Khalil Tate — Now that Bryant is off the board, Auburn fans are beginning to covet Tate, who we’re not yet 100 percent sure is planning on leaving Arizona. Nevertheless, a dysfunctional situation at his current school, coupled with the fact that Kevin Sumlin quarterbacks always transfer, leads many to believe he’ll soon be looking for somewhere else to play. He’d be highly sought-after if he did, with Oklahoma probably in the mix as well. If Tate did come to Auburn, he’d give Gus Malzahn his most athletic dual threat quarterback since Nick Marshall (and maybe including Marshall).

So, who do you think it will be that takes the first snap for the Tigers vs. Oregon? My money’s on Nix right now, but that could change.

I’ll take your questions and comments on that or anything else on your mind beginning at 10 a.m.